Overview

• On June 18, Federico Zampaglione published a Facebook post detailing how concert promoters manufacture the appearance of sold-out shows
• He likens the practice to a “diabolical mechanism” in which artists absorb most venue costs and surrender the majority of their earnings
• Zampaglione warns the tactic has persisted for about 30 years, hitting young and inexperienced performers the hardest
• Promoters employ modulable seating, free or heavily discounted tickets, influencer contests and corporate giveaways to create the illusion of full arenas
• Critics say the focus on perceived success traps artists in restrictive contracts, erodes industry credibility and misleads fans about genuine popularity